Saruman

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

I see no reason to make a whole new thread about this so forgive me my necro'ing this topic.

We all know of the many times Saruman was tempted with redemption and almost but not quite gave into it. Even more times, it was offered to him and he flatly refused it. But I read somewhere that he actually went to the imprisoned Gandalf in Orthanc and was going to ask for his help as he was afraid of Sauron's wrath. Sauron did after all learn of his treachery.

So is this true and recounted anywhere? Did Saruman consider repenting and asking for Gandalf's help? The way I hear it, he thought of this too late and when he went to find Gandalf, the latter had already escaped hence Saruman was even more fixated on the path of evil.

I think you're referring to the Unfinished Tales chapter The Hunt for the Ring

In one variant of those events, it was said that after the Nazgûl showed up at Isengard, Saruman saw "the full horror if service to Mordor" and decided to beg Gandalf's pardon, but Gandalf had already gone.